A kung fu student seeks the mystical next level in his studies and along the way becomes involved in the shady world that the New York music industry scene. Sounds full of Eighties Goodness, doesn't it? Well add in cultural confusion, over-the-top characters, and an early version of MTV Grind and you have cult classic "Berry Gordon's The Last Dragon." An over the top but oh so typically Eighties movie.
This movie follows kung fu student Leroy Green (Taimak) on his path to achieve the mystical level of skill known as the "Glow." Along his path, he meets video jockey, Laura Charles, played by Prince protégé Vanity. Laura, a strong-willed woman of the Eighties, has refused to play a music video by tyrannical music producer-slash-general slime ball, Eddie Arkadian (Christopher Murney) and is kidnapped for it. During the first attempt, yes first, Leroy swoops in to her rescue but disappears just as quickly. Instant attraction for Laura. Only it isn't one-sided. Leroy tracks Laura down only to pace nervously outside her place. It is later revealed that he has never "moved" with a woman, which further endears him to Laura. She falls into another damsel in distress situation and is again saved by Leroy. This time Eddie almost loses his head to a shark…..yes a shark. Like all villains, Eddie Arkadian has a shark tank in his lair. A third, more successful kidnapping attempt pits Leroy again neighborhood bully Sho'Nuff (Julius Carry), a situation Leroy had attempted to avoid due to his preference for nonviolence. Sho'Nuff could care less about Laura and only seeks to prove Leroy subservient in the realm of martial arts. Works out nicely for Eddie who seeks only to destroy Leroy for interrupting his music domination plans. As in all good guy/bad guy movies, Leroy takes a lickin' but all is not lost for during a montage sequence of his studies, he comes to realize that he is the Master (and therefore Sho'Nuff is……not, having previously declared it so.) With this newfound knowledge, Leroy fulfills his hero prophecy and all is well. Only instead of the obligatory swoon between damsel and hero, Leroy has disappeared again. Don't worry, Romeo returns for his Juliet at the broadcast of her show. Swoon-away Leroy and Laura.
So, if you love cheesy graphics, over the top acting and a "classic" 80's soundtrack, try "Berry Gordon's The Last Dragon."
And keep an eye out for a young Rudy Huxtable.
You can buy it here:
http://www.amazon.com
http://video.barnesandnoble.com/
http://www.alibris.com
http://www.familyvideo.com
http://www.deepdiscount.com
